Recreational camping options surround Lansing, Iowa, where the Mississippi River meets steep limestone bluffs rising 400-600 feet above the water. The area's driftless region topography creates a unique environment for camping with valleys, streams, and wooded hillsides not typical of Midwestern landscapes. Fall temperatures average 45-65°F, making late-season camping a popular option with reduced crowds and vibrant foliage.
What to do
Water activities: At Neshonoc Lakeside in West Salem, campers can enjoy diverse water recreation. "Great place to go kayak, decent place to fish, and good access to bike trail. The lake is about 600 acres in size and about 11 feet deep at the deepest point. Lake Sturgeon, Bass, Muskie, Pike, Walleye, and Bluegill can be caught at this location," notes camper Megan S.
Hiking trails: The Big Paint Campground within Yellow River State Forest offers extensive trail options. "We enjoyed hiking despite the mosquitoes and humidity in August and were able to make a 5+ mile loop leaving from the campground," reports Mary S. The campground also features "stocked trout streams" attractive to anglers.
Cycling access: Peterson City RV Park provides direct trail connections. "The campground is right on the trail, so very handy. The park includes a nice playground, horse shoes, a shelter, and HUGE open spaces for your badminton, croquet, or other games," states Charlie K., who enjoyed exploring the surrounding town.
What campers like
Lakeside views: Wyalusing State Park campground delivers panoramic river views. "Wisconsin Ridge is the second campground in this state park. This is the quintessential Wyalusing experience with sites overlooking both the Wisconsin and Mississippi River valleys," notes Josh F., though he cautions about trade-offs: "Sites are very close to one another, and most are very close to the road."
Family amenities: Visitors appreciate organized activities at Neshonoc Lakeside. "With 2 swimming pools, daily activities, movies, and a full ice cream shop you won't be bored here. The owners were super friendly and helpful," writes Kim L. "In the evening there was a Glow Parade where the full timers decked out their golf carts and drove around- candy for kids and lots of dancing."
Clean facilities: Esofea/Rentz Memorial Park earns praise for well-maintained grounds. "A quiet nook off the main road opens to a cozy campground. Some of the nicest people I have met!" shares Sara M. Another camper notes "Clean bathrooms with hot water. Shed with dry wood for purchase."
What you should know
Campsite privacy: Site exposure varies significantly between parks. At Whiskey Creek Family RV Park, campers enjoy "plenty of room to roam. There is river access, walking trails, and so much more," according to Ashley F. Conversely, at Wyalusing, "most sites are right on the road" with limited screening between neighbors.
Reservation timing: Many campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. While some sites remain first-come-first-served, Big Paint Campground advises planning ahead: "Pay up front at the entrance station, or make a reservation online at last 2 days ahead of time (and pay a reservation fee)."
Seasonal closures: Most RV campgrounds near Lansing operate seasonally. Neshonoc Lakeside runs from "April 15 to October 15" while others like Pettibone Resort maintain similar seasons. Some parks like Big Paint Campground offer limited off-season camping: "First come first served basis from November through March" with reduced services.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Pettibone Resort provides natural swimming areas. "This campground has a shelter, several ponds and streams, and some nice hiking trails," notes one reviewer. At Whiskey Creek Family RV Park, families enjoy "a beautiful white sand beach around a 1-acre swim pond. The water was the color of the Caribbean with these huge blow-up toys and slides in the middle."
Entertainment planning: Weekend activities vary by campground. "Bingo, tie dye, outdoor movies, and other relay races kept the kids happy and adults amused. Sunday night a jimmy buffet cover band played," reports a Neshonoc Lakeside visitor.
Tent vs. RV considerations: Some parks cater specifically to RVs with limited tent options. "The campground is more for motorhomes/rvs and the 'glamper' types. Not ideal for tent campers," notes a Neshonoc visitor. Wyalusing offers more balanced options with both ridge and wooded sites suitable for different camping styles.
RV tips
Site leveling: RV campers should prepare for varied terrain. At Pettibone Resort, David B. found his site "was a grass site with two concrete strips for my TT tires. There was more than enough parking for my TT and truck and grass on either side... Site was a little unlevel."
Water and utilities: Skip-A-Way Resort offers complete services. "Very family friendly and affordable with sewer, water and electric hookups," notes Lourene M. At Peterson City RV Park, "the RV sites have electricity, water, and sewer, and they are level–we were only staying one night and didn't even need to unhook our pickup."
WiFi and cell reception: Connectivity varies throughout the region. At Pettibone, "AT&T had 2-3 bars of LTE and Verizon 1 bars of LTE service. AT&T Speedtest: 146 Mbps down, 4.8 Mbps up. Verizon Speedtest: 016 Mbps down, 0.14 Mbps up. Free WiFi," while other campgrounds may have limited or no service.
